Billy Thomas

Within twelve months of his beginning to paint for Waringarri Arts in 1995, Billy Thomas' meteoric rise to acclaim had begun. In that time, he was selected for the National Aboriginal Art Award, won the East Kimberley Prize, and held his first solo exhibition.

Like his fellow Wangkajunga artist Rover Thomas, he was born in pre-European contact times, and both worked as stockmen when teenagers on the Canning Stock Route in remote Western Australia.

Thomas' artworks typically use the iconography and visual language of traditional desert peoples, though are painted in traditional ochres used by the 'East Kimberley School', with the self assurance of a desert master.

Billy focuses on the depiction of Ceremony and its relevance to Aboriginal culture: the diversity of its origins, the making of the country and the integral role of places and animals in the creation of that Country.

Browse Billy Thomas artworks for sale in Delmore Gallery’s online store or contact us for further details.